Thermometer sterilizer and holder.



No. 862,385. I v PATBNTED AUG. 6, 1907. G. M. BRUBAKER.

THERMOMETER STERILIZER AND HOLDER.

APPLIOATION FILED PEB. 2e. 1906.

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UNrrnD srnfrns GRANVILLE M. BRUBAKER, OF

MERCERSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

THERMOMETER STERILIZER AND HOLDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 6, 1907.

Application filed February 26, 1906. Serial No. 303.111.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GRANVILLE M. BRUBAKER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Mercersburg, in the county of Franklin and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inThermometer Sterilizers and Holders, and 1 do declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

My invention is an improved sterilizer and holder for thermometers andthe like, and it consists in the novel construction, combination andarrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The object oi the invention is to provide a device of this character ofsimple, durable and comparatively inexpensive construction, in which oneor more thermometers may be conveniently and safely carried in anantiseptic substance.

The above and other objects which will appear as the nature of myinvention is better understood, are accomplished by means oi theconstruction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1is a plan view of my improved thermometer sterilizer and holder,showing/the same in its open position; Fig. 2 is a vertical transversesectional view, taken on the plane of the line 2-2 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 isa similar sectional view, the two parts or halfsections of the casing orholder being in their closed position; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectionalview, taken on the plane of the line 4 4 in Fig. 1, the casing or holderbeing closed as in Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a detail longitudinal section,taken on the plane of the line 5-5 in Fig. 3, also showing the casing orholder closed.

Referring to the drawings by numeral, 1 denotes my improved sterilizerand holder for thermometers or the like, which is adapted to beconveniently carried in onels pocket or in a doctors medicine case. IA`

As shown, the device is adapted for containing two thermometers, and itcomprises a casing or holder consisting of two half sections or members2, 3 which are hingedly connected as shown at 4, and are adapted to besecured in their closed4 position, as shown in the drawings, by afastener 5 of any desired form and construction. These sections 2, 3 ofthe casing may be constructed of wood or any other suitable material,and I preferably face their ends, side edges and corners with rubber orthe like 6 which is adapted to serve as a cushion to reduce to a minimumthe chance of breaking the thermometers from a fall or blow.

In the inner or opposing faces of the casing sections 2, 3 are formedsimilar-shaped cavities or recesses 7, 8 adapted to receive between thema container 9 for a sterilizing substance which may be in the form of anantisepticlliquid or powder or of any other description. As shown thecontainer 9 is in the form of a U-shaped tube oi glass or the like, andthe cavities 7, 8 are similar in shape, as clearly shown in Fig. l ofthe drawings.

The antiseptic thermometer container or receptacle 9 is elastically orresiliently supported trom the lower or bottom casing section 2 by meansoi a longitudinally extending spring 10 which has clips 11, 12 at itsends to engage the tube or container. The spring 10 is adjustablymounted by means of a screw 13 passed through the slot 14, upon thecentral portion of the inner face or arms of the cavity 7 and itscylindrical ends or trunnions 15 are mounted in loops I6 upon thecentral portions of the clips 11, 12 which latter extend transversely.These clips 11, l2 are preferably formed by bending strips of resilientmetal, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, to form substantially circular springloops 01 jaws 17 which receive the branches or arms of the U- shapedtube or container 9. The ends of this spring l0 spring outwardly orupwardly, so that when the casing is in its open position shown in Figs.l and 2 of the drawings, the tube or container 9 will be elevated andsupported above and partially out oi the cavity 7, as shown in Fig. 2 ofthe drawings, and when the cover or top casing section 3 is closed, asshown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the tube or container 9 will be movedinto the cavity 7, so as to be supported centrally between the walls ofthe coacting cavity 7, 8 in the two sections of the casing.

The portion of the inner iace of the top section 3 between the twobranches or arm of the cavity 8, engages the spring and the clips andmoves them downwardly or inwardly as described, and as shown in Figs. 3and 5 of the drawings. The arms or branches of the U-shaped tube orcontainer 9 have secured in their reduced ends 18 plugs or stoppers 19of metal or the like, through openings in which the thermometers 20 arepassed, suitable screw caps 21 being provided to render the tube orcontainer liquid and air tight.

I preferably provide between the two hollow plugs or stoppers 19 an airtube 22 which has its opposite ends screwed into the adjacent faces ofsaid stoppers or plugs, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 4 of thedrawings. This air tube 22 provides means of escape for any air whichmay be in the chamber or leg in which the liquid is lowest and thusallows the legs to fill evenly; it also serves to strengthen the tube.Suitable notches or recesses 23 are formed in the central portions ofthe opposing faces of the casing sections 2, 3 to receive the tube 22. Aliquid or powdered antiseptic or any other suitable sterilizingsubstance may be placed within the tube or container 9 for the purposeof effectively sterilizing the thermometers 20; and the escape of of thebottom casing section 2 between the two branches 5 as with one endclosed7 the atmospheric pressure is such that no liquid can escaperegardless of the position in which the vial is held.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection With theaccompanying drawings, the construction,

l0.use and advantages of the invention will be readily understoodWithout requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the orm, proportion and the minor details ofconstruction may be resorted to Without departing from the principle orsacrificing any of the advantages of this invention, as defined by theappended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters-Patent, is

1. An antiseptic container for thermometers consisting of a l-shapedtubular vessel, open at both ends and having a closure for one of saidends.

2. The herein described U-shaped container having its arms open at oneend, hollow plugs in said open ends, an air tube connecting said hollowplugs, and closures for the open ends `ot said plugs. l

3. The herein described U-shaped containerv having its arms open at oneend, hollow plugs in said open ends, an air tube connecting said hollowplugs, and a closure for the open end of one of said plugs.

ln testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing Witnesses.

GRANVILLE M. BRUBAKE R.

Witnesses:

R. S'rYLns OYLER, J. C.- RANKIN.

